Austin ISD board approves T-STEM Coalition to help save Mendez Middle

Melissa B. Taboada @melissataboada

Tuesday

May 1, 2018 at 12:01 AMSep 22, 2018 at 1:07 AM

Austin school district trustees Monday night approved a partner to help turn around Mendez Middle School, which is at risk of closure by the state for failing to meet academic standards for four consecutive years.

The school board approved the performance agreement with the Texas Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Coalition. The T-STEM Coalition will operate as an in-district charter over the school and will partner with the district, the University of Texas at Tyler, UT Austin’s UTeach Institute, Communities in Schools of Central Texas, and Austin Interfaith.

Mendez teachers and parents recommended the group, saying they were excited about its potential partner.

"I’m so excited to be working with UT-Tyler and Communities in Schools," said Robert Kibbie, campus PTA president. "(They) will make one great partner."

The district submitted the partner to the state after the vote. The Texas Education Agency now must determine whether it approves of the Austin district’s partnership. The agency is expected to make a decision within 15 days of the district’s submission. If approved, Mendez could get a two-year reprieve from state sanctions and more money per student.

Under the partnership, T-STEM would operate with a separate governing board to Mendez, and would have authority to hire and to control the campus budget and curriculum.

If the agency rejects the partner, the 700-student middle school in Southeast Austin could be closed by the state if the school fails to meet academic standards again this year, or the state could take over the 81,900-student district.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.